April: Leaves federal funds rate target unchanged at a record low of zero to 0.25 percent, where it has been since December 2008, and repeats pledge to keep rates "exceptionally low" for "an extended period."

A comparison of the Federal Reserve's statements from its last meeting on June 22-23 and the meeting Wednesday.RECOVERY SPEEDJune: The economic recovery is proceeding and ... the labor market is improving gradually. August: The pace of recovery in output and employment...